'Republican Dark Horse' Pence: "I Will Be a Better Choice Than Trump"

Mike Pence. (Photo by CNN)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Former Vice President Mike Pence said he is "considering with a praying heart" whether to run for president in the 2024 election, and stated that regardless of his candidacy, the United States will make a better choice than former President Donald Trump.

Pence, regarded as a leading Republican candidate for the next presidential election, told ABC News on the 15th (local time) that when asked if he could defeat Trump, who announced his candidacy on the same day, "That is a question for others to answer," adding, "I will decide whether I want to test that."

Following the defeat of Republican candidates with pro-Trump stances in the midterm elections, major media outlets such as CNN are giving weight to the possibility of Pence, from the anti-Trump camp, running for president.

When asked whether Trump should serve as president again, Pence replied, "That decision is up to the American people," and added, "In the future, we will make a better choice."

He continued, "Americans do quite well when they step away from politics," and said, "I think leaders want to show the same compassion and generosity."

Although Pence has never officially announced his presidential bid, some Republican lawmakers have encouraged him to run.

Regarding why Trump did not take action to stop the January 6 Capitol riot, Pence said, "I have never heard what Trump was doing that day." He added, "I was filled with anger at what I saw on the scene," and said, "I did not feel any fear from the rioters."

Having become vice president and president of the Senate with the inauguration of the Trump administration in 2016, Pence exercised powerful authority, ranking among the most influential U.S. vice presidents, based on Trump's unique trust.

Once a close ally of Trump, Pence strongly criticized Trump's election fraud claims and the congressional riot, turning to the anti-Trump faction within the Republican Party.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.